Norman Pershing Kempton

Military
media-43781.jpeg UPL 43781 Norman P. Kempton Crew
388th BG - 560th BS

Standing L to R: Norman P. Kempton (P), Paul E. Davis (CP), Stanley A. Plytynski (N), Harry H. McKenna (B)

Kneeling L to R: Emil W. Taddeo (FE), Raymond S. Eutuch (WG), Hamp B. Nicholson (TG), Harvey B. Norton (BTG), Louis J. Mostardi (R/O), Melvin S. Larson (WG) 388th Bomb Group collection

Connected with A/C

Object Number - UPL 43781 - Norman P. Kempton Crew 388th BG - 560th BS Standing L to R: Norman P. Kempton (P), Paul E. Davis (CP), Stanley A. Plytynski (N), Harry H....

Shot down 5 January 1944 in B-17 #42-5899 'Sioux City Queen'.

"Lt. Kempton in a/c 42-5899 "Sioux City Queen", left the formation with one engine feathered and was attacked by figthers. The tail was shot up by the fighters and the crew bailed out. As many as seven parachutes were seen. "

A/C received heavy damage and crashed near Cartujac, France. Evaded (EVD).

Connections

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Units served with

The insignia of the 388th Bomb Group.
  • Unit Hierarchy: Group
  • Air Force: Eighth Air Force
  • Type Category: Bombardment

People

  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-680188
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Co-Pilot
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 16126416
  • Highest Rank: Technician Third Grade
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner / Ball Turret Gunner
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-744281
  • Highest Rank: Second Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: 11051478
  • Highest Rank: Staff Sergeant (3rd Grade)
  • Role/Job: Waist Gunner/Togglier
  • Military/Civilian/Mascot: Military
  • Nationality: American
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Service Numbers: O-674700
  • Highest Rank: First Lieutenant
  • Role/Job: Bombardier

Aircraft

  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron
  • Aircraft Type: B-17 Flying Fortress
  • Nicknames: Sioux City Queen
  • Unit: 388th Bomb Group 560th Bomb Squadron

Missions

Places

Events

Event Location Date Description

Born

Keldron, Corson County, SD 13 May 1918

Other

388th BG Combat Tour

Knettishall Airfield, UK 26 November 1943 - 5 January 1944

Other

Shot Down/Evaded

near Cartujac, France 5 January 1944 - 17 April 1944 Reached Gibraltar and was back in the UK on 17 April 1944

Died

Indian Harbor Beach, Florida 2 June 2005 Indian Harbour Beach, Fla. - Norman P. Kempton, 87, Aerospace Engineer, died at home Thursday, June 2, 2005. Norman was born in Keldron, S.D. He had a long, distinguished career. He was Captain, pilot of B-17 Bomber in the US Air Force during World War II. He belonged to the 388th Bombardment, Group (H) 1942-1945. He was shot down over Germany, and escaped with the help of the French Underground by walking over the Pyrenees Mountains into Spain after five long months. Norman was recalled to active duty at the beginning of the Korean War. After nearly two years of active duty at Wright Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio, he subsequently came to Patrick Air Force Base where he was Quality Assurance Engineer for the Titan 3C program until he retired. After he retired he became an avid golfer and sailor. Norman enjoyed life to the fullest. Norman is survived by his wife of 54 years, Pearl; his son, Gary; grandson, Wesley Norman of Tallahassee, Fla.; a sister, Vivian Dayton of Lemmon, S.D.; and numerous nieces and nephews. Memorial services were held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, June 15, 2005, at Beach Funeral Home East Chapel, Indian Harbour Beach, Fla.

Buried

Pensacola, Florida Barrancas National Cemetery Pensacola, Escambia County, Florida, USA Add to Map Plot SECTION C-10 ROW C SITE 9

Revisions

Date
ContributorED-BB
Changes
Sources

MACR 3118
Escape & Evasion Report E&E 559

Date
ContributorAAM
Changes
Sources

Drawn from the records of the National Museum of the Mighty Eighth Air Force, Savannah, Georgia / MACR 3118 / MACR 3118, 8th AF Losses / Paul Andrews, Project Bits and Pieces, 8th Air Force Roll of Honor database

Norman Pershing Kempton: Gallery (1 items)